NEWARK, N.J. – An Elizabeth, New Jersey, man today admitted robbing seven New Jersey banks at gunpoint and attempting to rob an eighth bank at the time of his arrest on July 30, 2012, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Claude Williams, 63, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to Count One, Count Fourteen and Count Fifteen of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Williams admitted that, between Sept. 26, 2011 and July 30, 2012, he robbed seven banks and attempted to rob an eighth bank, all at gunpoint. He used a similar procedure for each robbery: after entering the bank armed with a handgun and wearing a bandana, hooded sweatshirt or jacket and white gloves, Williams would vault over the counter and demand money from bank tellers at gunpoint.

Williams admitted robbing, or attempting to rob, the following New Jersey banks:

Financial Resources Credit Union 09/26/2011 Somerset

Somerset Savings Bank 11/21/2011 Somerville

Provident Bank 02/27/2012 Piscataway

Provident Bank 04/17/2012 Clifton

Provident Bank 05/22/2012 Piscataway

Fulton Bank 06/20/2012 Metuchen

Unity Bank 07/12/2012 Middlesex

Unity Bank 07/30/2012 North Plainfield

Prior to the July 12, 2012 robbery, an unarmed, off-duty police officer was parked across from the Unity Bank. The officer observed Williams leave the bank, get into the rear of the getaway car and crouch down to hide. After noting the license plate number, the officer followed the car. During today’s hearing, Williams admitted that he exited the getaway car, walked toward the officer’s car and pointed his firearm at the officer, forcing the officer to leave the scene.

On July 30, 2012, Williams was arrested after law enforcement observed him driving in the vicinity of the Unity Bank in North Plainfield on July 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012. He admitted today that he planned to rob the bank at gunpoint.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The armed bank robbery charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2015.

Andrea Dorsey, 56, of Plainfield New Jersey, who admitted that she served as a lookout and getaway driver for three of the robberies, was sentenced to 87 months in prison on March 13, 2014. Teresa Webb, 45, of Plainfield, who admitted that she was the getaway driver for one of the robberies, was sentenced to 54 months in prison on May 30, 2013.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s plea. He also thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and the Middlesex Borough, Piscataway, Clifton, Metuchen, North Plainfield and Plainfield Police Departments for their roles.

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - The North Plainfield Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in the identification of an auto theft suspect from North Plainfield Nissan.

The theft of a 2016 Cadillac Escalade occurred on May 20, at 3:30am. police said. The suspect entered the Nissan dealership hours earlier to test drive the vehicle and video shows the suspect arriving in ...

WARREN, NJ - Two parents took the opportunity for public commentary at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Watchung Hills Board of Education to express concern about a book in the senior English curriculum.

The book at issue is Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, a 2006 graphic memoir by the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel.

HOPEWELL, NJ - The Watchung Hills boys golf team won the NJSIAA Group 4 Tournament of Champions with a 311 and came in second overall to Christian Brothers Academy, who won top spot for the second year in a row with a 297, on Monday at the Hopewell Valley Golf Club.

Watchung Hills took top public school honors sharing the overall second place with ...

WARREN, NJ - Different is not synonymous with deficient and autism does not need to be cured, a Warren Middle School student told the Warren Township Board of Education at its meeting on Monday, May 21.

Johannes Wellerding, an eighth grade student at Warren Middle School, took the opportunity for public commentary at Monday night’s Board of Education ...

ANNANDALE, NJ - Revenge is sweet for the Warriors. Mike Recenello went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Matt Alarcon went 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Watchung Hills baseball team over North Hunterdon in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament on Monday, 8-6.

Earlier in the season, the Warriors lost to North Hunterdon, 12-4 on April 4.

PARKLAND, FL - Parkland Cares will hold a Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 17 at Parkland Golf & Country Club, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Jason Taylor Reading Room and Parkland Cares. The event is presented by Steven Douglas and former NFL player and Hall of Famer Jason Taylor will be in attendance.

BELMAR, NJ — Two Belmar specialty eateries have made the national food-hopping map. Coney Waffle Ice Cream and Sweet Shop on Ocean Avenue and Hoagitos in Belmar Plaza are featured this month on television shows touting what makes them stand out from the rest.

The over-the-top ice cream creations of Coney Waffle are in the spotlight in Viceland’s “The Ice Cream Show” in ...

BELMAR, NJ — Two Belmar specialty eateries have made the national food-hopping map. Coney Waffle Ice Cream and Sweet Shop on Ocean Avenue and Hoagitos in Belmar Plaza are featured this month on television shows touting what makes them stand out from the rest.

The over-the-top ice cream creations of Coney Waffle are in the spotlight in Viceland’s “The Ice Cream Show” in ...

I was really taken back recently at a May 12th press release in which North Plainfield Police Department Chief William Parenti was highlighting his agencies increased role in keeping our school's safe. Let me please remind Chief Parenti that we still haven't received a public apology from him regarding never telling any of us residents ...

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – Holy Savior Academy’s (HSA) ‘Biddy’ Cheerleading Squad, the Storm, recently completed their 2017-2018 season with a first place win in their division at Cheerfest. Held May 12 at Six Flags Great Adventure, the annual multi-state competition featured teams from throughout New Jersey.

WARREN, NJ - Erin Bean hit a game winning RBI double to score Meri Hurley in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Watchung Hills softball team over Bridgewater- Raritan in the quarterfinal round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 Tournament on Wednesday, 2-1.

Watchung Hills will face J.P. Stevens in the semifinal round on Thursday.

WARREN, NJ - The Warriors have made it to the finals for the first time in school history. The Watchung Hills boys lacrosse team defeated Westfield on Wednesday in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Group 4 Tournament, 17-8.

The Warriors will face Hunterdon Central in the finals, one of the only two teams they lost to all year. Hunterdon Central defeated Ridgewood and ...

NEWARK, NJ – Five individuals including a Hillsborough resident were sentenced Friday for bribing doctors in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - So close. The Watchung Hills boys lacrosse team fell to Bridgewater-Raritan, in overtime, as the Panthers won a fourth-straight Somerset County Tournament title on Saturday, 5-4, at the Torpey Athletic Complex.

Watchung Hills took an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter with goals from Gavin DeFuria, Connor James, and Joe Rica.